Evaluating Abuse of Young Adults’ Bodies in Collins’s The Hunger Games

Hukum Thapa

Published in Literary Oracle — Vol.8, Issue I, May 2024

Keywords: Abuse of body, authority, freedom, individuality, maturity and young adult

Abstract:

The bodies of young adults are vibrant and seductive. They view their physical selves as “being in the world.” Social structures and grownups detest the physical activities of the young adults. Thus, the present study looks at many circumstances and causes of young adult’s bodily abuse in Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games. In this article, it examines how and why the Capitol’s authority mistreats the bodies of young adult characters like Peeta and Katniss. It also looks into the motivations behind the young people’s plans to mistreat their bodies. In order to maintain their power and influence over adolescents, this study makes the case that adults and societal institutions mistreat young adults’ bodies. In the process of exercising power, the adults view the young adults as competitors and formidable opponents. Additionally, it argues that rather than deterring young adults from acquiring their freedom, individuality, and maturity, physical violence encourages them. The study draws on theoretical ideas and readily available critical comments from scholars who specialize in young adult writing and conceptions of the body, including Roberta S. Trites, Tayaba Moeen et al., and Heather Y. Swanton et al., for its analytical purposes. Lastly, by focusing on abuse, the study hopes to introduce a fresh perspective to the study of the body, young people, and young adult texts.

https://doi-ds.org/doilink/06.2024-38121929/LiteraryOracle/2024/V8/I1/A6